Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge

The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge (Thai: สะพานมิตรภาพ ไทย-ลาว แห่งที่ 2, pronounced [sā.pʰāːn mít.trā.pʰâːp tʰāj lāːw hɛ̀ŋ tʰîː sɔ̌ːŋ]; Lao: ຂົວມິດຕະພາບ ລາວ-ໄທ ແຫ່ງທີສອງ, pronounced [kʰǔa̯ mīt.tā.pʰâːp láːw tʰáj hɛ̄ŋ tʰīː sɔ̌ːŋ]) over the Mekong connects Mukdahan Province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos. The bridge is 1600 meters (1.0 mi) long and 12 meters (39 ft) wide, with two traffic lanes.^[1]

Traffic on the bridge drives on the right, as in Laos, while traffic in Thailand drives on the left; the lane-change is on the Thai side.

History

Bridge construction began on 21 March 2004. Supports and spans were constructed on shore, then moved out onto pylons in the river by crane.^{[citation needed]}

The total cost was about 2.5 billion baht (US$70 million), funded largely by a Japanese loan. An opening ceremony was held on 19 December 2006, The bridge opened to the general public on 9 January 2007.

See also

• First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
• Third Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
• Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
• Fifth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
• Sixth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge
• Seventh Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge^[2]
• Transportation in Laos
• Transport in Thailand

References

External links

• Bridge Failure Database

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge.

16°36′04″N 104°44′09″E / 16.60111°N 104.73583°E / 16.60111; 104.73583